Remove Septic Tanks on beaches and lakes

The lakes have not been tested since January. The state does not check any of the lakes.

I'd just like to mention that the people from the DOH that are doing the testing don't know why the beach test results came back the way they did. A State health representative floated the idea that it could be related to increased seaweed on the beach which tends to concentrate animal waste (from birds, mainly), but also said that was just a guess. They didn't think there were any sewage overflow or septic issues.

I'm all for getting septic systems away from beaches and lakes, especially the ones susceptible to storm surge and such. But I don't think you can positively link those systems to the recent water quality tests up and down the panhandle.

I'm all for getting septic systems away from beaches and lakes, especially the ones susceptible to storm surge and such. But I don't think you can positively link those systems to the recent water quality tests up and down the panhandle.

Not positively, I agree. But think about what happens in a flood of the kind that the Pensacola area recently had, and now over around Panacea and Sopchoppy, etc. Every single septic system drain field for miles around was inundated, and I think that kind of a flood may also compromise some sewer lift stations. Also pasture and farmland, lots of that. Multiple sources for contaminated flood waters that flow down every little creek to the Gulf.

Not positively, I agree. But think about what happens in a flood of the kind that the Pensacola area recently had, and now over around Panacea and Sopchoppy, etc. Every single septic system drain field for miles around was inundated, and I think that kind of a flood may also compromise some sewer lift stations. Also pasture and farmland, lots of that. Multiple sources for contaminated flood waters that flow down every little creek to the Gulf.

Appalachicola oysters anyone?

It's past time to have these removed! It's South Walton's dirty little secret. There are septic tanks and drain fields that drain right into the coastal dune lakes and onto the beaches.

There are drain fields right under the sand on the beaches in many places.

Don't believe it? Look at these photos of Little Alligator Lake next to Gulf Trace in Grayton Beach in 2005 - http://www.sowal.com/photo-archive/photos-080305.html



That is styrofoam from drainfields washed out in Gulf Trace. The homeowners there are too cheap to hook up to sewer even though Regional Utilities gave them a deal.
They should be FORCED to hook up and remove the drain fields!

Any lake you see with a house on it probably has drain fields - Grayton Beach has a lot of them - you know the lake outlet where kids like to play? Often has unsafe bacteria levels.

They put styrofoam in drain fields?

Holley Street and Eastern Lake Beach accesses were both re-sampled on the 27th and the results are now "Good". The Health Advisories for Holly Street Beach Access and the Eastern Lake Beach Access have been lifted.

So we're back to normal.

just got curious about this because i know there was some flooding recently along 30A, so i wondered about the water quality and if it would be poor again, so that we could at least maybe determine that flooding is a possible reason for the high levels of fecal matter in the gulf. however, i went to the DOH florida and it looks like the 30A area hasn't been tested since october. is that just a coincidence? have they decided to stop testing as a way to bury their heads in the sand? i'm just wondering what you locals think. has anyone heard anymore about investigating this matter further?

It is past due for septic tanks near wetlands, lakes, streams, creeks, Bay and the Gulf in SoWal to be removed! Seems like a good use of BP funds.

Bumping this thread. High bacteria levels at Grayton this
weekend. Supposed to avoid swimming, but plenty of folks
(kids) were out swimming.

Some involvement by the county for identifying the extent of
the problem and a long-term plan to fix it would be beneficial
for all of us.

Would be a good use of bed tax funds.

Would be a good use of bed tax funds.

To do what? Replace septic tanks or to get info out about water quality?

BCC is considering applying for a grant:

Grant Applications:
Request approval to apply for a
Federal Clean Water Act Section
319(h) Grant from the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection to connect existing septic systems to sewer within
theCoastal Dune Lake Protection Zone
❖
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is currently soliciting for grant applications
for projects that qualify for their nonpoint source funds.
The deadline for the grant application is
November 15, 2018.
❖
Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act provides federal funding to address nonpoint source
pollution. One qualifying activity for this funding is septic to sewer projects.
❖
Policy CM
-
1.2.5 of the Walton County Comprehensive Plan Coastal Management section states
that septic tanks shall not be permitted near any coastal wetlands, coastal dune lakes and their outfalls, living resources, coastal dune and dune systems, beaches, and other coastal wildlifehabitats until an applicant has received approval from the Florida Department of Health/County
Health Department, and then only if there is no central system available.
❖
There are approximately 80 septic systems located within the Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone
of the 15 Walton County Coastal Dune Lakes that have not been connected to central sewer.
Asseptic systems fail within these areas, they are required to hook up to central sewer, if available.
❖
The goal of the proposed project is toreduce the pollution loading potentially caused by septic
systems to the Coastal Dune Lakes by providing a 60% discount to these property owners to
voluntarily convert their septic systems to sewer.

The holdouts have been offered discounts before and some refused to do the right thing. This should be mandatory for the health and safety of our locals and visitors. And for the health of our environment. It seems like TDC funds should be used for this. I suppose the new amendment has to pass to allow this. But if it doesn't, then the county, the DEP and Regional Utilities need to work together to make it happen.

This has been long overdue. Very exciting news!

The holdouts have been offered discounts before and some refused to do the right thing. This should be mandatory for the health and safety of our locals and visitors. And for the health of our environment. It seems like TDC funds should be used for this. I suppose the new amendment has to pass to allow this. But if it doesn't, then the county, the DEP and Regional Utilities need to work together to make it happen.

If people won't do the right thing voluntarily, I wonder if a lien could be put on the property in the amount of the conversion. Not sure that is an option, but if it is, there is at least the possibility of getting the cost of conversion back if the property is sold. Anyone know if this would be an option?

If people won't do the right thing voluntarily, I wonder if a lien could be put on the property in the amount of the conversion. Not sure that is an option, but if it is, there is at least the possibility of getting the cost of conversion back if the property is sold. Anyone know if this would be an option?

No. You can't go on a property and do n actual conversion without consent. The only way I think you could force a conversion is some type of ordinance with fines. Even then don't know if you could get it passed or if it would hold up in court if challenged.

I'd like to see a concerted campaign of education and public pressure. Even if you got most there probably will have plenty who don't want the expense, or recurring expense.

No. You can't go on a property and do n actual conversion without consent. The only way I think you could force a conversion is some type of ordinance with fines. Even then don't know if you could get it passed or if it would hold up in court if challenged.

I'd like to see a concerted campaign of education and public pressure. Even if you got most there probably will have plenty who don't want the expense, or recurring expense.

What would you say would be the individual expense for each property owner and what would be included in those expenses?

What would you say would be the individual expense for each property owner and what would be included in those expenses?

Hopefully someone current can respond. It's been about ten years since I did it. I believe it was about $3,500 and you could spread out payments. I had to hire a plumber to do the actual hookup and that was a hundred or so. Then ongoing is water/sewer bill - mine is around $75/month.

Has been approved to pursue grant...


The deadline for the grant application is
November 15, 2018.

Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act provides federal funding to address nonpoint source
pollution. One qualifying activity for this funding is septic to sewer projects.

1.2.5 of the Walton County Comprehensive Plan Coastal Management section states
that septic tanks shall not be permitted near any coastal wetlands, coastal dune lakes and their
outfalls, living resources, coastal dune and dune systems, beaches, and other coastal wildlife
habitats until an applicant has received approval from the Florida Department of Health/County
Health Department, and then only if there is no central system available.

There are approximately 80 septic systems located within the Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone
of the 15 Walton County Coastal Dune Lakes that have not been connected to central sewer.
As septic systems fail within these areas, they are required to hook up to central sewer, if available.

The goal of the proposed project is to reduce the pollution loading potentially caused by septic
systems to the Coastal Dune Lakes by providing a 60% discount to these property owners to
voluntarily convert their septic systems to sewer.


..............................................................................................

As you can see above, owners will have to hook up eventually as apparently no repair or replacement septic permits will be issued so if the grant is approved it would be wise for owners to take advantage of it now.

Definitely be a good idea to jump as soon as they can. When Regional got a grant to get septic off the bay, we waited for a few months and when we went to get it they said that the money for it was gone. We and a few other neighbors raised enough ...cane that they finally gave us the deal they had offered everyone else. Saved us mega bucks on the water/sewer tap fees and it is just added to our bill every month.